Archaeology breakthrough as pre-Neanderthals’ ‘ingenious’ spatial planning unearthed — A recent study shows that pre-Neanderthals were extremely competent at spatial planning. The researchers believed that the center of Lazaret Cave would be the logical place for a fire, but the ~170,000-year-old hearth was strategically placed off to the side in the back. This actually minimized smoke exposure, while saving room for other activities. The hearth stayed in the same place for tens of thousands of years.